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While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and
she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling
clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for
them in the inn. Luke 2:6–7 (Gospel from Mass During the
Night)
A loving mother and father who experience the birth of their first
child receive insight into the sacredness and beauty of this scene.
Though great mystery surrounds Jesus’ conception within the womb of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was truly His mother, and He was truly
her Son. Saint Joseph, knowing he was not this Child’s biological
father, made a profound act of faith by accepting that fatherly
responsibility, as instructed in a dream by an angel of the Lord.
Because of his faith and God-given mission, Joseph’s commitment to
being the father of the Son of God was one that only a most loving
and devoted father would make.
As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are reminded of the humility with
which our Lord chose to enter the world. Jesus was born in a place
where animals dwelt because Mary and Joseph were away from their
home to register for the Roman census. At first glance, one might
conclude that the physical environment, most likely a cave, was
unfortunate. However, we can be certain that this humble and poor
setting was part of God’s divine plan, adding to the glory of that
night. Christ, in His humility, chose this setting to reveal to us
the true greatness of love.
The poverty and humility of the cave and the manger—a feeding
trough for animals—helped point to the sacredness of Jesus’ birth.
No glamor, no fancy or comfortable setting, only love. Pure love.
The love in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the devotion of
Saint Joseph, and the Incarnate presence of the Son of God were
everything needed to make that night glorious.
One lesson we can learn from the Nativity of the Lord is that the
beauty, peacefulness, and contentment of our lives are not
dependent upon how much money or how many material possessions we
have, but rather on the purity of our love. The Holy Family’s
hearts were perfectly fulfilled, not because of their surroundings,
but because of their intimate union with God in the person of Jesus
Christ.
The presence of the Son of God in that place of poverty sheds light
on the true riches we crave. The true treasures we seek are found
not in wealth, comfort, or possessions, but in the love and grace
of God. The Holy Family’s witness reveals to us that when we place
our hearts in God’s hands, we will be filled with all we
need.
Reflect today on that most sacred, simple, and humble scene. As you
do, try to imagine how humanly fulfilling that experience was for
the Holy Family. Jesus was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothing,
and He was adored with the greatest affection of His mother and
foster father. Mary and Joseph’s hearts contained all that was
necessary for profound gratitude and fulfillment. If you struggle
with being fulfilled, learn a lesson from the Holy Family and seek
to imitate Mary and Joseph so that your love for our Incarnate Lord
fills you with all you need.
My Incarnate Lord, Your divine nature, united to Your human
nature, transformed that humble cave near Bethlehem into a
tabernacle filled with the most powerful bonds of pure love. Please
draw me into that sacred scene and help me to share in the love in
the Immaculate Heart of Your mother, as well as the human devotion
of Your foster father, Joseph. May I find contentment and total
fulfillment in life by seeing You and loving You in every way that
You come to me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Gerard van Honthorst, Public domain, via Wikimedia
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